Tell us a bit about your background…
I was born and raised in Glasgow and I attended primary and secondary school in Kirkintilloch, a small town in the outskirts of the city.
Why did you decide to study at the University of Strathclyde?
I primarily chose Strathclyde based upon the reputation of the business school, being one of the few institutions in the world to have achieved triple accreditation.
What made you select your course?
With a passion for languages, the availability of a course which combines both business and the study of foreign languages was a very important factor for me. In particular, the international study opportunities available with the Masters in International Business and Modern Languages was very appealing to me. Further, this specific course was recommended to me by a teacher from high school.
What has been the highlight of your time at Strathclyde so far?
A main highlight of my time at Strathclyde has to be the connections I have made thanks to the University. Studying International Business has allowed me to meet and work alongside many diverse individuals, who today have become friends for life. These connections have truly enriched my experience at Strathclyde, and I am very grateful for the support that comes from such relationships.
What would you say is one of the key takeaways from your course?
I think the Masters in International Business and Modern Languages is unique in the respect that you gain a lot of life experience throughout the duration of the course, by spending a year living and studying abroad in a foreign language. I would say this is one of the most valuable things I have gained from my 5 years at Strathclyde.
What would be your advice for people considering studying at Strathclyde?
Strathclyde is a fantastic university and it has really shaped who I am today. The lecturers and academics are all very approachable, they have not only educated me to a high degree but we have also developed fantastic relationships.
What has been the main challenge while studying at University?
The sheer quantity of work cannot be denied. MIBML is a demanding course which can be difficult to keep up with, especially while juggling part time employment/ internships etc... Time management has been key throughout my 5 years at Strathclyde to ensure that I keep up with all course work, while completing internships and maintaining multiple part-time jobs.
If you could travel back in time to give advice to yourself on your first day at Strathclyde, what would you say?
Join a society! If I could go back to my first year of university, I would have told myself to sign up to all of the societies that interest me and put myself out of my comfort zone. There is a real sense of community at Strathclyde when it comes to societies, and with hindsight I wish I had made more of an effort to involve myself in this part of University life.
What do you hope to do when you complete your course?
The goal for me has always been to find a career which allows me to use both the business and language aspects of my degree. I am very passionate about both of these, and have had my sights set on the Santander graduate scheme for some time, as I feel it fuses the two aspects of my degree nicely, being the world's largest Hispanic bank. I am very happy to say that I was one of the two successful applicants to this graduate scheme, and I will start a two year rotational programme this September in the function of Corporate and Commercial banking with Santander, based in London. I hope this is the stepping stone to a successful career which allows me to apply my knowledge of international business bilingually.